Polish Spring Festival

 Dress: Knot Front Dress in Blue Polka Dot by Lucie Lu (size 5x)

Cardigan: Lands' End (size 3x)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Mossimo, thrifted

Necklace & Earring: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this ensemble to a Polish spring fest & erranding on a Sunday & on another day to work. I purchased this dress waaaaay back in the summer of 2014 & have only worn it one other time. I love it, I just have a LOT of clothes. I bought a bunch of Lucie Lu dresses that year from GB for $15-20...they used to have much lower prices & many 50% off sales. I adore the sweetheart neckline & the vintage dotty vibe. Also, I don't know what I did before finding these shiny blue shoes at Savers...I wear them at least once a week.

I am 75% Polish & grew up with Polish food & family members on both sides speaking Polish. Every year I intend on going to this festival, but have never made it until now. I was planning on going alone...but David said he was interested in coming with me. The food was alright, but the pierogis I make with Angie are better & her mother-in-law's sauerkraut is the best. I was fascinated watching this guy draw intricate patterns on eggs with wax & dyeing them. Gorgeous. I used to do this as a child, but obviously mine were not as lovely. My favorite part was blowing the egg innards out. 

New tights! I now have all the colors that We Love Colors makes that I want...now they need to introduce more colors. Isn't that dress pretty? I spent a bit of time browsing magazines at the book store while David picked out a card for his dad. This is a slip with a scarf sewn on...

Sephora invited me to become a member of their monthly subscription box, Play! I'm in love...all this for only $10 a month, shipped! So far the only thing I've tried is the Kat von D Tattoo Liner...perfection. I can't believe I tried 2 subscription boxes in one month that I like. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue; Sephora's Jem collection eyeshadows in Aja, Stormer, & Minx; NYX Russian Red lipstick, & O'Hare & Nails Look Great by OPI. 

Wisconsin Film Fest Planning with the Girlie

 Dress: Swing Dress in Purple Floral Print by Alice & You (size 28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Andiamo, thrifted

Purse: gift from Kate

Earring & Shorter Necklace: Babil & Bijou (no longer online)

Long Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this swing dress out to cocktails & dinner with Kate. GB sent me these 2 Alice & You swing dresses back to back...I liked the first one better...it gave off a more vintage '60s vibe to me...also, I am fairly sick of floral patterns. I liked wearing this though...I am kind of obsessed with swing dresses right now & may try to make my own for summer. Despite it being the same size, this dress seemed shorter & less full than the first one. Let's talk about the color...purple? To me, this dress seemed to have 2 different shades of blue, outlined in black...I do not get purple. Another fun dress!

Girlie Happy Hour! Yay, look...it's my girlie! We tried a total of 6 cocktails...& I liked every one of them! We started out with Disco Roots (Monkey Shoulder Scotch, housemade sarsaparilla syrup, Angostura bitters, grapefruit juice) & Dating is Dead (Citadelle gin, Matilde Creme de Cassis, housemade rosemary syrup, lemon juice, cava). Also, olives & frites. And the cutest ever girlie!

Yum! Kate thought I should use this as my Facebook photo, but looking like a lush does not help my professional image...even though this *is* Wisconsin & I look adorable. Carrot/Ginger/Peach soup with lemongrass, fried shallot, chive, & sesame oil...does that not sound like the most heavenly combination you've ever heard?! It was quite tasty. I had their beer battered perch fish fry...because...Friday...& I've never had it before...it was delicious. Our second drinks were Green Gloves (Don Q Anejo & Plantation 3 Star rum, Yellow Chartreuse, housemade winter tonic syrup, honey) & Otachi Attacks! (Buffalo Trace bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, housemade Chinese 5 spice syrup, lemon & orange juice, Bittercube Jamaican #1 bitters). Then...down to the serious business of...how are we going to fit in all these movies we want to see?!!! The end total is...David & I are going to 21 movies each & Kate is going to see a much more reasonable 13. The tickets went on sale the next day at noon...the online buying process usually gives me a full blown panic attack because there are so many glitches...but this year, for the first time...just mildly anxiety producing. 

I love my adorable record purse! Kate got it for me as a NYE gift & it is just perfect. I told both Kate & David that I wanted a specific record purse as a holiday gift...but they both refused to get it for me because they apparently know my taste better than I do. This purse is SO much better than the one I *thought* I wanted. Our last drinks were a Moscow Mule (vodka, lime juice, Koval Ginger Liqueur, carbonated water) & I *think* Kate got a Sazerac (rye, bourbon, Demarara, absinthe, bitters, lemon oil). This was the sad day Kate broke the news to me that she quit GB. No more matching girlie dresses. 

After leaving a tipsy girlie to walk home...I took myself to Ulta because NYX was buy 1, get 1 50% off, plus I had a coupon for another $3.50 off...cheap make-up...I cannot resist. I wanted this palette after seeing Cora show it off in this video on Vintage or Tacky...I also picked up this black eyeshadow base for when I want dramatic nighttime eyes. Then home to a good mail day...a package from Teri of etXarte...she is so sweet...she makes me single earrings & puts up with my pickiness. She creates, sends me photos of earrings I might like, & when the stash gets big enough...she sends them off to me...often with a free earring thrown in. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue, Sugarpill eyeshadow in Love+, Anastasia eyeshadow in Blue Velvet & Buttery, Urban Decay lipstick in F-Bomb, & OPI nail polish in Little Red Wagon.  

F*ck Flattering

 Dress: Swing Dress in Geometric Print by Alice & You (size 28) via Gwynnie Bee, try then buy (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Teggings: Re/Dress

Shoes: Mossimo, thrifted

Earring: Me

Necklace & Bracelets: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress out in the world on 3 different days...& had to buy it because I loved it so much. I immediately adored this dress because the pattern reminded me of the triple polyester knit dresses from the 60s that I used to purchase at St. Vinny's back in high school. Also...swing! I didn't expect to enjoy wearing this dress as much as I did. I prefer fit & flare and wrap dresses..& this had a tent shape. And that's not flattering. Fuck flattering. I occasionally use that word here & what I mean when I say it is I feel comfortable, pretty, confident in my outfit...not that it presents my body in a more flattering socially acceptable way. I'm fat. And that is acceptable to me. When I wore this dress I felt younger & twirlier...it was fun! Fashion should be fun. 

Fresh! We drive past this restored ghost sign for Gardner's Purity Bread nearly every day...but have never used it for photos because David has to stand in the street to get the shot...but we took a chance on this day. I think these old signs are so neat & it makes me happy that we have several restored ones in Madison...although the faint ones are lovely too. 

Swing to the left...swing to the right...fashion!

A tisket, A tasket-- put purity in your basket.

I know...we eat here all the time. But! This time it was for a different reason. Madison Area Chefs Network Restaurant Week. Also, this was dinner on a Wednesday instead of lunch on Saturday. I tried The Gotham...it was tasty, but not as yummy as my usual sweet potato falafel (which Kate kindly shared with me <3). During MACN Chef Week...local chefs take over other restaurants, collaborate with each other, & have fun with food. 

I've been working on hemming ~30 pairs of pants David bought unfinished. I think I've finally got it down. I bought this tabletop ironing board & it makes what was the worst part of the job SO easy. The full size ironing board was difficult because the weight of the pants kept pulling my work askew...now they rest comfortably on the table & make this step a breeze. 

Holy buckets...the first subscription box that I like! None of the others have appealed to me, not even Bark Box (I had so much hope!)...but this one, Scent Trunk...sends you 3 x 2ml spray vials each month of indie fragrances for $18 (free shipping in US, Canada, & UK). Other than being from independent perfumers, what I love about this company is that I made a profile of scents I enjoy & they actually sent me my first free month based on that! Shocking. I've filled out scads of profiles with other subscription boxes & each time they've sent me random rubbish. I am enchanted by my first perfume, Yuzu Vanilla...I can't stop sniffing my wrist. The first month is free (use the link above to try it out). I am eagerly awaiting next month. Yet another thing to love about this company, they give a percentage of their sales to mental health research. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Deep Blue, Urban Decay eyeshadows in Heroine & Last Sin, Colourpop eyeshadow in Erotic, MAC Head in the Clouds lipstick, & OPI Give Me Space nail polish. Linking up to Visible Monday, check out those stylish ladies. 

I am wearing the fleur-de-lys earring I made in honor of Shane because it was the 4th anniversary of his suicide. Kate & I had dinner together that day & she asked me why I have the date in my calendar. I hadn't thought about it. I said it was because that's what my mom does...she keeps track of people & dogs death dates. I don't want to celebrate that anniversary, yet I can't forget it. Shane's relatives & ex-boyfriend posted images & remembrances on Facebook that day, but I couldn't. I'm glad they do...suicide should be talked about, especially by those who are thinking about it. Shane was my best friend since we were 14 & I think about him nearly every day. I wish I could spend just one more day laughing with him. I wish I could show him how much we all miss & love him. Shane's ex, Gregory, made this video for a class using snippets from our celebration of Shane's life the week after he died.

Teal Check

 Dress: Lace Up Dress in Teal Check by Alice & You (size 28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Andiamo, thrifted

Necklace: Wendy Baker

Earring: Babil & Bijou

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit one Saturday & on another day to work. This was my first time with this brand & I found it to be true to size. Definitely fast fashion...cute, but cheap. After wearing this dress for ~4 hours...it had already started to pill! The color was marvelous, the check pattern was cute, & it was a fantastic length on me. I wasn't a fan of the lace up front or the enormous sleeves that refused to stay rolled up. Kate preferred the neckline folded in to give it the illusion of a v-neck, so that is how I wore it with the exception of taking a few photos of it in its natural state. 

Fun band & belly dancer at farmers' market. Kate & I having lunch at Shük...we are obsessed. I got my usual sweet potato falafel, but the girlie tried the seafood & it was yummy too. 

 Wine tasting...we are SO predictable. 

My makeup with this outfit included...Gypsy Blue eyeliner by NYX, Kat von D eyeshadow in Synth, Sugarpill eyeshadow in Buttercupcake, Stila lipstick in Beso, & OPI nail polish in ?

70s Color Waves

 Dress: Taryn Dress in Color Waves by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Talbots, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Life Stride, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace & Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this outfit to work & run errands. I didn't immediately like this dress...I felt the shape was wrong for my body with the odd asymmetrical drape across my belly & the attached belt at the wrong place. It was the same style of dress as this one that I had last fall, but that one had an optional belt...I am guessing GB had these sewn on because they lose them so often. The cardigan saved this dress, gave me a shape, & allowed me to hide the belt. Also, can you believe the match of colors in the dress & cardigan?! I LOVE the colors in this dress...so autumn 1978. The material of this dress is lovely & as it's unlined...would work for any time of year. David was so taken with this dress that he very sweetly bought it for me.

I think next time I wear this dress, I'll bring out the turquoise...so many colors...so many possibilities!

Savers had a sale on housewares, so I picked up this vintage shallow green bowl & a file drawer. I'll use the bowl during brunch or other meals, to hold condiments...& the file drawer will store make-up...perhaps eyeshadow singles?

I'm so matchy matchy...I wish I could have found the orange earring I wanted to wear...I have not seen it in quite some time. 

My make-up with this outfit included...NYX eyeliner in Gypsy Blue, MAC eyeshadow in Coppering, Kat von D eyeshadow in Hyperballad, Bite Beauty lipstick in Toast, & OPI nail polish in I Sing in Color. 

Pierogi Making Birthday Celebration

 Dress: Delsee Dress in Ruby Abstract by Igigi (size 26/28) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Tights: Catherines

Shoes: Sofft, thrifted

Earring: etXarte

Necklace: Babil & Bijou (no longer online)

Bracelet: Vintage

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this fab frock to make pierogis at a birthday party. Doesn't it look like the perfect dress to wear in the kitchen...very 50s vibe. I fell in love with this Igigi shirtdress...the style, the ruching at the waist, the flair of the skirt, the textured red leopard print fabric...all swoon-worthy. What kept me from buying it? The red leaned toward the pink side, which meant no red could be paired with it, also...the arms were huge. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing this adorable dress & I hope I get to try it out in other colors. 

Look how cute Val is!! I love that naughty little doggie. It was Angie's soon-to-be husband, Toby's, birthday...so 4 of us got together several hours before the party to make pierogi. We had sauerkraut, potato cheddar, & potato mustard greens as filling. Angie made everything, we just put it all together. I made Golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls) the night before. YUM. I am 75% Polish, so it is always a treat to eat the food of my people. And of course...there was dessert! Tahini chocolate mousse banana tart.

Savers was having a 50% off winter sale...so I got an orange wool autumn jacket, & some more cardigans...

Also, in the mail that day...Modcloth sale order...3 more Dream of the Crop cardigans...in honey, navy, & red...& a mustard skirt. 

My make-up this day included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Zero; NYX liquid liner; Too Faced eyeshadows in Showgirl, Jackpot, Golden Nugget, & Sin City; a mixture of NYX Russian Roulette & Bite Beauty Cranberry lipsticks; & Visions of Love nail polish by OPI. 

Purple & Green on a Spring-like Day

 Dress: Tea Length Dress in Dahlia by City Chic (size XXL) via Gwynnie Bee (use my link to get your first month free & help me earn GB credit)

Cardigan: Isaac Mizrahi Live, thrifted

Tights: We Love Colors

Boots: Dr. Marten

Earring, Necklace, & Bracelet: Wendy Baker

Photography: Super Boo & Me

Stats: 5'7" 55-50-64

I wore this dress on a Saturday. This is the dress I kept forever hoping to wear it to an event. I opted out of going out when I wore it with burgundy (read review of dress there)...& this time I decided I'd rather stay home yet again rather than go to an illuminated garden bonfire with Kate, despite the lovely spring-like weather. I am lame. I LOVED the green with purple...one of my favorite color combinations! These boots are purple patent leather, they always look so dark in photos. I find the BEST cardigans at Savers...apparently, Isaac Mizrahi does a line exclusively for QVC & maybe he does a show on there? I've never watched QVC, so I don't know how it works. However, the cardigan prints I've seen online are spectacular & I have several gorgeous ones...all found at Savers, which I paid $4-5 for. 

Kinky Boots tickets went on sale at 9am...so I got to the Overture Center at just after 8:30...I'm not sure why I thought I'd be the only one there. I *was* the youngest person there, but #41...I know that doesn't seem so high, but consider that everyone before me was going to buy at least 2 tickets *sigh* & I overheard someone say the entire main floor was already sold out to subscription ticket holders. I didn't want to sit in the Mezzanine or Balcony *ugh*...I prefer front row (on stage if they'd let me). So I was sitting...waiting...sulking...eavesdropping...when I heard the woman next to me on the phone with her friend...she was a subscriber & just found out the family reunion was that weekend & did she want to buy her tickets? *PERK* Her friend declined. And...I let my chance slip by...because I'm not that outgoing. They called #40...I had to make my move...so I pounced...& started chatting with her...she needed to buy Wednesday tickets & get rid of her Saturday 5th row seats!!! Score! I threw money at her & gave her my # as it was lower than hers. I still cannot believe my luck! Sometimes it pays to leave the house. 

Later that day...Kate & I went to lunch at our usual Saturday restaurant, Shük...we can't get enough of their sweet potato falafel! Then, wine tasting. 

My make-up with this outfit included...Urban Decay eyeliner in Voodoo, UD eyeshadow in Dragon & Vanity, Kat von D eyeshadow in Vinyl & Misfit, Bite Beauty lipstick in Burgundy, & OPI polish in OPI INK.